Page 81 of Silent Girl

“Itwasembarrassing. I broke my groin trying to figure skate just to impress some chick.”

“I had a crush on this boy in tenth grade. I was obsessed with him. I even doodled my first name with his last name in my schoolbooks,” I say.

“I hate him already,” Liam grumbles.

“Vinny and Jonah found out. Gray was away at college. But the other two invited him over, showed him every weapon in Dad’s private arsenal. Then they proceeded to explain, in vivid detail, how they’d use each and every one on him if they ever caught him around me.”

“I think I’m liking your brothers a little more each day.” Liam smirks.

I slap his chest. “It was mortifying. He didn’t know I liked him. That boy didn’t even know who I was, and my brothers scared the crap out of him.”

“Babe, it’s impossible for any guy to not notice you. You’re the hottest fucking chick I’ve ever seen.”

“Thanks?” I question.

“You know, your brothers could tell me how they’d dismember me as graphically as they’d like, but nothing will ever scare me away from you.”

“I feel like I’m doing a well enough job of scaring you away myself,” I admit.

“Why would you think that?”

“Because I just had a full-blown panic attack, Liam. We’re hiding out because my family is involved in the not-so-legal side of business, and we have God knows who shooting up our house.”

“You are not your family. Are they a little dodgy? Sure. But that’s not going to scare me away.”

“What if they don’t win this time?”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“What if my dad doesn’t come and open the door? What if they get to him first?”

“Have you met your father? There is no way he’s not coming to open that door for you, babe. And your brothers? Do you really think they’re going to leave you locked in a room with me? They don’t like you anywhere near me.” He laughs.

“You’re right,” I say.

“Of course I am. Come here.” Liam holds his hands out.

I climb into his lap, turning my body around so my back rests against his chest as he leans against the wall. His arms wrap around me, and right here is where I feel safe. I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.

* * *

“Aliyah, babe, wake up,” Liam’s voice whispers in my ear, his fingers brushing along my cheek.

I open my eyes, blinking away the unconsciousness. I’m met by my father’s worried face looking down at me. “Took you long enough,” I say as I push myself up and off Liam’s lap.

How long have I been asleep? Shit, his legs must be numb.

“Sorry, took a little longer to clean up than I thought. Come on, let’s eat.” My father turns around and disappears through my childhood bedroom closet.

I look back down at Liam. “Are you okay? You should have woken me up,” I tell him.

“It’s okay. You only drooled a little bit,” he says, rising to his feet.

“I don’t drool!” I yell at him.

“My wet shirt would say otherwise.” Liam laughs. I look at his shirt and, sure enough, there’s a damp spot on his shoulder.

Oh my god, kill me now.

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